Christmas Card Rudolph Day at Scrappy Mo’s

Just a very quick post  due to circumstances to share Christmas card for Rudolph day at Scrappy Mo's. 

This stamp set is truly wonderful, by Colarado Craft Company - "Bethlehem's Light", bought it from Simon Says Stamps, at half price Christmas sale.
Used PanPastels for backgrounds and Tombows and some coloured pencils. 
Linking over to Scrappy Mo's  blog  hop... link  here .. won't be commenting, am sorry but not well. Made card earlier and  really wanted to share at Mo's. 
God bless you all. In all things. 
Shaz in Oz. X 🙏🤗
Thought for day:
When things flow differently, this verse is a great comfort to me.

God's ways are higher, wiser much better for me!

Male Darkroom Door + Masked Floral Woodware NBUS WOYWW

Wowee - today is 17th, over half way through June, almost shortest day of year on 21st June!

Am here for WOYWW or What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday over at our lovely Queen of Desks, Julia - to my desk this morn!

Well, 'tis tad tidy as left last night, usual tool culprits in pile on right, blue tissue was to slurp up 😊 the extra turquoise brushos decided to add to stamped image, stamps used waiting to be cleaned, TH pick tool, green tool use to lift stuck dies off plate, cant recall brand, and good for spreading texture paste etc. This is a card already finshed and mailed in today's mail. Don't you love those colours? I do.
Centre image is Darkroom Door Photo Collage "Escape", to its left is a yoghurt packet covered in versamark and mixed pearls. Yay, dat dere packet is snippets.. off to Playground! 😁

Two are Ranger Perfect Pearls, turquoise is Lindy Stamp Gang Tiffany's Blue (amazing colour!) + Pearl-Ex Aztec Gold. Spritzed with water + dry embossed sheet in TH EF Gridlock. Firmly set pearls colour with hairspray.

Stamp is stamped on brushos on photo paper (Edited Technique shown here).

Finished card. 

On left two banner die cuts were made for another card in Feb., lost, made another - then found again for this card! Stamped white EP greeting from lawn Fawn Birthday stamp set.

The black rectangle die is a Scrapdragon set (Aust brand). Simple layout with three brads to finish at right.

Next desk was at weekend, had sleepless night so started it at 2am and back up at 4am to finish. This is a NBUS card, cos those two inks at rear left under Inkylicious ink dusters. did lots of layering, top colours are from Hero Arts Ombre pad (bought at Hobby Lobby with you, Marilyn, in Sept. 2018!) other on sale at closing down store here, 2019 Kaleidocolor Caribbean sea - gorgeousness!). 
Masked as you can see above, just about to overlay a Kaisercraft dots mask and do white chalk dots with Ranger sponge tool at the ready.

Finished card, an encoragement one.

Need some more actually.

To Aussie photos - have been some big seas last week, can hear them at night, rather lovely. Some super keen surfers, you can see how close some of them are to the rocks!

'Tis drawing to end of roses flowering time, pruning in July. This is Sweet Serenity, a thornless rose with magnificent glossy foliage and fragrant, delicate blooms.

 May God bless and keep you and those you love safe in His care, thanks especially if you have time to say hi!

Prayer hugs, 🙏🤗
Shaz in Oz.x

Thought for today:

What a treasure this verse is! 
Riches that money can never buy!
God's way is PERFECT. Perfect for you, me, us at this time!
My days are fuller of late, due to God's ways. And His ways are ALWAYS and in ALL WAYS perfect for me!
I am His child, my Heavenly Father knows best. 
Ease is never promised but grace for the way, strength for the day is!
He is our Buckler - a Shield that covers and protects us in the midst of troubled seas! 

PLEASE,  pop over to my Christian blog,  just shared here on "Perpetual Prayer- What Purpose?"

Re New Blogger versus  Old blogger:
Like others I've read, I have totally reverted to old blogger.
I do hope and pray earnestly it survives all this turmoil. 
I don't recall all this grief in 2012 change!

My feedback was they'd reverted to standards of previous decade, computer only. I'm a mobile device blogger. I blog just fine on current site. 
Impossible on new one. You can't add you tube either, freezes in iPad etc etc. Unless using it on computer.

Linking over to:

**Word Art Wednesday - anything goes. Both cards.     http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au/
** Snippets playground, over here - YAY!! Male card with yoghurt box.

** NBUS  Challenge by Darnell or NEVER BEFORE USED SCHTUFF over here  2nd inky card... 

Penny Black + Spellbinder Botanicals + WOYWW

Well, everyone, tis Wednesday ( again!) it’s WOYWW or What is on Your Workdesk Wednesday, and it’s desky share time over at Julia’s Stamping Ground. My desk shows a special card in the making!

Looks neater than is, as you can’t see to left, tad staged. Desk was “Put it Here” spot from a card making session with a newbie last week.

Had a sort, put away, wipe down well glass mat. 

Must admit this keeps cleaner than any other surface I’ve used!

To the back right are 3 new products. Same crafty friend needed some help to spend the $75 for free post from north coast online shop (Scrapdragon). So I helped her out 😆 Paper Rose Mistletoe Christmas die, Couture Creations sml dragonfly die, + Couture Creations glue pen (really like it - super cheap, all on sale, of course!).

Far right of new Dies is ODB Lacey square dies (gifted by dear Marilyn).

I extended it to rectangle (repeat pattern so pretty easy to do this one, though do pray as go!). Used for stamped coloured image on vellum on

 left of desk.

Trying to work out what colour to underlay the vellum.

To cards. Had intended to finish one above plus more as want a few spares, easy-make, to use. 

However "my times are in Thy hands".. so did not. 

 Another day - hopefully tomorrow. Here are two unpublished cards. No idea who for - made in early mid 2018, very memorable year.

First is a birthday card using Spellbinder Botanical Swirls corner die, idea off Pinterest. Centre die from same set, daises unsure brand of dies, leaves MS punch. 

Next is Penny Black Trailing Vine stamp. Watercoloured simply, + Inked Elizabeth Craft designs "happy birthday". Side border scallops are from Xcut rectangle scallop die.

Now to Aussie ones, a few different things but yes, seaviews! But a video on my phone! Link below if not work here!

Video link here.

Did you know it was a full moon on the 5th June? 

This one wins the beauty awards, I think anyway.

So here's the full moon in Oz... we get it first, beat everyone, but not NZ they beat us! isnt it amazing?

The next image below comes from NZ, too!
Know what it is? We call them Kiwi fruit here (were in 1990s called here Chinese Gooseberry). Mostly they’re green, and we actually grow those west of our town, they grow on vines kind of like grapes do.

It's not the green ones I love, it is the gold fruit. For some reason they only come from NZ, no Aussie grown gold ones, so allowed to buy them as try to get Aussie only .. they’re soooo amazingly sweet, just cut in half and spoon them out, like passionfruit. Only eat half at time, very good Vit. C though. Much better than green ones.

*****

I need to apologise  too, for not commenting as much as I’ve wanted. Really tried again last week but failed .. only third of ones wanted. Firstly sticky beak too much, talk too much in comment + only have half an hour each evening.

Life happens as they say.. as  I’ve commitments, needed time for a dear friend. Sad but necessary. 
BTW I’m writing this in old blogger ... left new blogger on gmail sign in, but can’t use IPad so use hotmail sign in not gmail. Found can't add videos on new blogger - unresponsive page,  and that's on Android Chrome! 😐

Well, praying earnestly things are looking up for you wherever you live with COVID-19, that your area is starting to open up wisely wherever you maybe. 

May the Lord bless and keep you and all whom you love, wherever you may be,

Prayer hugs, 🙏🏻🤗🙏🏻🤗

Shaz in Oz.x 
Thought for the Day:
"My times are in Thy hands"

A verse I often pray.. and certainly been echoing a lot in these uncertain times, internationally + personally!

I desire nothing better than to serve first of all my Lord, Who bought me with His own blood. Secondly to love and serve, be a blessing to others, whilst I live! 

We are all terminal.

Indeed "my times are in Thy hands". 

Praise God, such wise loving kind hands they are! 

Linking over to:

**Word Art Wednesday - anything goes. Both cards.     http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au/ 

Testing New Blogger, Brushos on Photopaper, Snippets, NBUS + WOYWW

{Apologies for long post, just skip review if you like, just thought might help.. or confuse!??}

Hi there - here for WOYWW or What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday over at our lovely Queen of Desks, Julia, + trialling new blogger, share at end.

Desk sees me about to assemble a card for my nephew, a July birthday but long way to Norway + mail is bad. Darkroom Door image, Photo collage called Explore, used with brushos on photo paper. Full technique see here! The background big sheet in same brusho shades is extremely Snippety (yay! off to playground!)

Who would guess what card was originally? 

Regulars would know it likely isn’t watercolour paper, & you're right! 

It’s the nice bright white inside piece of Mortein Cockroach Bait box! I grinned 😁😆 when pulled it out of my clear folder with packets from Frozen meals, yoghurt packets, biscuit, cereal, etc. all shades from this bright white to deep Kraft shade. 

 New NBUS item is under the photo collage image, a Spellbinder 3D EF called Celtic Weave. Can use either way, did both. Smaller black piece is dry embossed, brusho piece is v. large, extended TH Dot Matrix EF to almost double length.

Re first card I made... I’ve no idea what this AMAZING embossing powder is, it’s chunky as you can see and it’s only labels on it, are Eucalypt + $6.95, sort of vertigris with colour interference, like perfect pearls! Paid half price, store an hour north sadly shutting down a few months ago. Close-up also of embossing on Spellbinder Celtic Weave EF Black cardstock.

Completed cards..

This one is hopefully half way to Brisbane, depending on vagaries of mail, praying! Stamped embossed "Happy Birthay" is CCS. Hard to say which like best, kept design simple, added twine - bought in Manchester in 2012, finally opened! Another NBUS. EP on this are both NBUS, plus EF + kraft cardstock on base on both card also new, so both cards off to NBUS Challenge - Here (Never Before Used Schtuff)!

Next card has lots of green, yet brusho colours were Cobalt blue, Yellow, Sandstone! Great fun, colour and texture.

*** Wet it lots + kept layering up colour till enough on background sheet.

*** This is important on recycling of cardstock ... more colour needed than good watercolour card. 

****So don’t give up toooooo sooooon! 

Too many do!
 Now some amazing Aussie shots. I’m blown away by God’s handiwork!

Firstly a rose called "My Choice", this bloom is an old style Hybrid Tea Rose bush, struck by my father in 1974! I’ve struck another too, a few years back. It has huge blooms, with the most amazing fragrance!

 One late afternoon  ... a lone, pure white crane in creek.

Then creek mouth at ocean entrance, seagulls having a paddle, seascape - such shades!

And to close, lone crane again! in such subtle shades of soft aqua to pink! I’m going to try replicating those colours!?

It is really how it was.

Not photoshop, so wonderful!

 May God bless and keep you and those you love safe in His care,

Prayer hugs, Shaz in Oz.x

Thought for today:
Perfect peace and at such a time. 
(I made this on Phonto, a free app).

I weep in my heart when I read of such loss, such conflict across this poor sin-sick world. 

In nations that should know better, and ones like Brazil that suffer due to selfishness of despots. 
It drives me to prayer, to pray for leaders like latter to be removed, for God-fearing ones to be raised up & guided aright. 
Perfect peace, and at such a time.
With God there is peace, even when there is conflict all around.
 I’ve had it in my life, and know it to be true.

Ezra who penned those words knew them to be true, too - in midst of suffering and conflict.

Know God - Know Peace.
And I believe, no God, no peace.
******

Testing New Blogger:

Well, put it simply. I don't like it. However that's hardly fair. 

# Hate change. 

# Only a week of use.

# Use mobile devices NOT  computer. Maybe totally okay on computer.

However it certainly is very clunky on Ipad. I usually write all post on Ipad Chrome. 

Then edit and add photos in Chrome on Android mobile.

Some drop downs tabs freeze on iPad, plus top tab with dropdowns disappears altogether, esp. if down the page a bit and want to vary a script etc. have to scroll back up and hope your hightlight selection for change isn't lost... which happens. 

Links, page align, etc, mostly ok, except the open in new page seems unresponsive when you select it half the time. Sighhh!

Its on far right dropdown under three: vertical dots on left hand side. 

Bold, italic, etc with size on left tabs, some freeze on Ipad. 

To load a new post there is on lower right on post list an orange + in circle (this is non existent on ipad).

Side dashboard list is another pop up on left hand side, actual left hand list is unchanged!

My phone is Google, & Android as made by them, so easier, little conflict, but smaller screen.

***Summary need to iron out all glitches esp with Apple.

*** have noticed few explanations in items not there before, a plus for newbies.

*** please PLEASE  leave feedback of your glitches on tab under question mark ? On right side of page

If we don't let them know, then they won't know!

My photos are on phone, resized in free app called "PhotoResize" to x 800 photos. Easy load on page and in free blogger range. 

Also I've two authors named on my blog, both are me: but hopefully never will be signed out by a glitch that way.
One a Hotmail Blogger sign in, other a Gmail blogger sign in. 

So I'm using new blogger interface on Gmail (Chrome), and legacy (or old) blogger interface on hotmail (Firefox).
So when get frustrated I just change from gmail to hotmail.. 

Authorship name is reversed, ie
Shaz in Oz CalligraphyCards OR
Calligraphy Cards Shaz in Oz
Cos I've two sign in I've also joined a lot of blogs twice. 😉  It is a security measure but really because had issues when first joined blogger and it solved it.
Anyway this may help someone.. hope so! 🤔❤

Linking up with the following challenges:

**Word Art Wednesday - anything goes. Both cards.     http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au/

** https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/mondaychallenge/?p=20231 make your own background.. I made the backgrounds on both cards, one dry + wet embossing, one brushos + dry embossing card.

*** snippets second card.    http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com/2020/05/pixies-snippets-playground-challenge-379.html?m=1

***  NBUS - BOTH cards. Link above. 

*** Simon Says Wednesday Challenge Masculine https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/

New Blogger Coming, Altenew Enchanted Iris, NBUS, Rudolph Day + WOYWW

Well, a multi faceted post!  😁 yes! WOYWW or What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday over at our lovely Queen of Desks, Julia, Rudolph day again.. tell me how does that happen? And some NBUS!
(Blogger question at end of post).
Now to my desk!

Two cards and a whole lot of sorting needing doing! 
First on right is Christmas card for Rudolph day, on left card is for my friend Iris' 88th birthday, it's already winging it's way to Lincolnshire! 
Thanks so much for sending the stamped diecuts, dear kind Darnell! I do love that set. Perfect for dear Iris!

Desk 2: Here I’m painting the images, sheet underneath is back of used envelope. Found these paints work well as watercolour as well as thicker style of gouache-style painting on card two weeks ago. I did add some Tombows watercolour pens to image, too.

Finished card for Iris. 

Sheen on image is from embossing Darnell did with Platinum Wow EP, I think. 
TIP: After painting images with Gansai Tambi watercolour I reheat set Embossing Powder to make it pop.

Think it's up there with a favourite card!! Several NBUS here so popping over to join in there. The lattice is one, a SB die sent me by Marilyn, kind friend, thank you! The lattice aperture DP piece was cut from was a drooloworthy pad. I thought I’d stroked it long enough, so broke into it, and irises are NBUS to me! Also used Stitched rectangle die for frame, a layered peel off Happy Birthday, dry embossed parchment card with A4 EF in stitched daisy pattern from Crafts Too. Have a few more iris in Black stamping to make one or two cards more too.

Second card was ultra quick card for Rudolph day over at Scrappy Mo’s Christmas card challenge. It is a DL size card, a topper made from an old Christmas card, gold layer up, gold thread three times around with bow,  and some bling. Love the names of Lord Jesus, Immanuel which means God with us, and really wonderful background.

Now to Aussie pickies, first is fading sunlight on a walk the other day, this is the creek a bit further along from usual ones. Then surfs up on local beaches.

First one is by Greg in Oz.

Then the next two are by Robbie in Oz, on an SLR. That’s all for me today, sending love and prayers for everyone everywhere who is hurting. 
Comfort, help and a refuge at such a time is found freely in the LORD to all who seek Him.

Thanks for popping over for a peek and a chat, may God bless you wherever maybe, 

prayer hugs, 🙏🏻🤗 
Shaz in Oz.x

Blogger update:

And the question bloggers might  be wondering- what is this new blogger coming? Well, you've possibly noticed the  pesky little orange tab on lower left of your blogger dashboard saying:
'Try the New Blogger!'
*****

This  is an Article on it by Blogger here! 
I suggest you read it. Last update to Blogger was in 2012, I do recall it, but only know date by search. So if blogger is going to keep going, they do need to update it.
At least Google isn't pensioning it off!

From a cursory research I did on it there were some issues by some folks, noted in mid May. It's with things I don't use, but one issue was with image insertion last month.
I usually wait before adding updates till they iron out glitches. I dont rush in. 

****The update will just happen on your blog, at different times in different locations in June. 
You may change back to old blogger, till end of July. 

I don't think I would.
It will become outdated and not be assisted if you get issues. You may lose some information further down the track if dont accept update.  

I'd also recommend if you can, backing up current blog on Theme tab of Dashboard page, in that page there is a BACK UP/ RESTORE tab. Perhaps do that before June, just in case of issues, but would need to go on computer, as backup file probably too big for mobile device. Pray all goes well with it for us all.
Another blogger tip: 
If writing your posts and having issues, try it on Chrome Web browser. 
Google owns Chrome and Blogger, their software are compatible. Apple definitely is not.
I'm also writing this blog post on Android Samsung phone. Android is also owned by Google. Rarely have issues as all software are compatible on apps.  

Linking over to:

**Word Art Wednesday - anything goes. Both cards.     http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au/

** NBUS  Challenge by Darnell or NEVER BEFORE USED SCHTUFF over here  Iris card

** Rudolph Day. Christmas card

**http://craftyhazelnutschristmaschallenge.blogspot.com/2020/05/chnc-challenge-491.html?m=1

** Christmas recycled card -  Wednesday Challenge "Recycled" by Simon Says  
https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/ 
** Happy Little Stampers Anything with Dies.  Iris card. 

What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday 11th Anniversary + UFO

Hi there everyone! 

Great celebrations today! 
Week 572 of WOYWW!

 WOYWW 11 - What is On Your Workdesk Wednesday

In the land of Blog, there is a hop called WOYWW,

For running it, our Head Desker, Julia, must take a bow,

All over the world she gathers desks all in a row,

And thereupon we Bloggers our work we do show.

It’s our eleventh anniversary which has come upon us now,

So let’s all join together to celebrate our Eleventh WOYWW!

Huge Congratulations dear Julia, and also ably aided by Lunch Lady Jan!

 So to check out desks elsewhere.. see our Queen Julia of WOYWW, Over Here! 

To my up close desk showing WOYWW objects over the years! Monkeys with WOYWW badges proudly ready for anniversary party time! Clever dumfing ATCs by Jo, my first PiF from Jozarty back in 2011 - my first anniversary with WOYWW, started blogging Nov 2010, joined WOYWW Jan 2011.

Front of this desk trying to work on  a card with some beautiful iris Die cuts kindly sent by Darnell for my English octogenarian called Iris, who has her birthday in June. 

I’ve four NBUS (two were gifts) I realised to chose for background to irises. At far rear on left is my only card which will share below.

However this is the star of the show. My UFO (Un-Finished Object) as Julia challenged us to finish a UFO! This was mine a fortnight ago.

It’s a crotcheted teacloth, started in 1988, Aust. bicentennial year. Did first half in 18 months, then Dec 1989, I broke my right arm badly, it came to grinding halt. Never quite built up impetus again, so took another 30 years to finish!

Yes, a 32 year old UFO. When lifted it out I had one and bit squares to go. Each last row on a square you tediously crotchet new square onto teacloth. 

Believe you me, Row 10 is not for the faint hearted. 

There are 49 squares in all.

Here’s the FINAL square in each of its stages this week. It starts as a circle, then turns into a square.

Ta-dah!

And here is the teacloth finished! 

Am soooo excited to finally have finished  .. thank YOU  Julia!

And ready for a tea party! Cuppa anyone? The kettle so on! For those who crotchet it’s done in no 20 thread, I mostly use it, have once done no 40. The hook was 1.25mm, pretty fine,key stitch to make star pattern is popcorn stitch,  I varied the stitch though from 5 to 4 trebles. My very crafty and funny Yorkshire grandmother taught me to crotchet. 

I was actually taught to crotchet with sewing thread, cause that was what was available, did mauve edge around a plain handkerchief.

Here is one of my grandma's many crotchet pieces, Nanna made us all lots of blankets too and stuffed toys, like this one.

Anyone recognise this one? Very 1960s when made, Rupert bear. Love him, think my brother had a Rupert Annual. Do you remember the Annuals? Loved those books.

Now briefly a card.. a quick snippety one because had this wonderful printed image with WAW verse printed postcard left over from mail out. Been very busy over four days doing monthly mail or delivery for our oldies church group, since still not meeting. 

Aussie photos were from walk, this past week.

Firstly the dog in the far right distance made me laugh. He was being called and knew it but so didn’t want to move. 
A lovely spot, who would?

This is a bit further along the path.

Lastly the stunning sunset Monday. 

Well, have a wonderful Wednesday everyone, keep well, God willing I’ll be around later on.

May God bless you all and those you love and keep you safe, I’m praying for you and your countries too. 

Prayer hugs Shaz in Oz.x 🙏🏻🤗❤️

Thought of the day:
This is the verse on the card above from  Isaiah, a wonderful book.

Such beautiful words! 

Truly the word of God is an anchor to the soul, full of hope help and comfort for all who come to our loving Father God in their distress.

Linking over to:

**Word Art Wednesday - anything goes. Both card and crocheted teacloth..     http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au/
** my card uses snippets, all but base, which actually embossed with Embossaliscious Orchid 8 x8 do like their size. Am off  to playground! Yay! http://pixiescraftyworkshop.blogspot.com/2020/05/pixies-snippets-playground-challenge-378.html?m=1

** Simon Says Wednesday Recycle,  top image recycled from postcard left over. 
https://www.simonsaysstampblog.com/wednesdaychallenge/simon-says-recycle/